Question 1

Do I need to cook the chicken before baking?

Accepted Answer

No. This is a true dump-and-bake casserole, so the chicken goes into the dish raw and cooks right along with the rice.

Question 2

Why is my rice still crunchy?

Accepted Answer

The most common reason is that too much steam escaped while baking. Make sure the dish is covered very tightly with foil and that the rice is mostly submerged in the liquid before it goes into the oven.

Question 3

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Accepted Answer

You can prep the ingredients ahead, but I would wait to combine everything with the rice and liquid until you are ready to bake. Letting uncooked rice sit in the liquid for too long can affect the final texture.

Question 4

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs should work well. Cut them into small, evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate as the rice.

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